Transport Minister Keith Brown visited Strathyre on Wednesday to make the announcement of a £750,000 funding allocation towards the 3.5km route between the village and neighbouring Balquhidder.

The project will be managed by green transport charity Sustrans Scotland with further funding from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to be spent on this new path and other areas of the wider cycle route.

Park chief executive Fiona Logan visited Strathyre with the transport minister and said: “Thanks to the Scottish Government, Sustrans and ongoing support from the National Park and Forestry Commission Scotland, the route provides a community link with safe cycling access for local children and other activities.

“It paves the way for further economic investment with potential new camp sites and local businesses providing recreation facilities.”

Mr Brown added: “It will allow residents the opportunity to walk and cycle as part of their every day journeys and provide access to existing routes in the surrounding areas.

“The Scottish Government is committed to investing in cycling infrastructure, training and road safety projects through active partnerships with charities such as Sustrans.”

A spokesperson for Sustrans Scotland said the new path, forming part of Route 7 on the National Cycle Network, will be built to a high standard and include link paths making it easily accessible from neighbouring residential areas.

John Lauder, national director of Sustrans Scotland said: “We envisage it will also prove popular with tourists from home and abroad, given that this is such a scenic part of Scotland.”

The funding announcement was welcomed by local councillor Martin Earl who said: “To have the funding for this vitally important section of the Cycle Route finally confirmed is fantastic news.”

MSP Bruce Crawford said: “I hope the new path will see an increase in the numbers of people choosing to cycle in what is a spectacularly beautiful part of Scotland.”